TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Corrections this week observes National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. From April 10-16, there will be national observances to promote victims’ rights and honor crime victims along with those who advocate on their behalf. This year’s theme is Serving Victims, Building Trust, Restoring Hope. During the 2016 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, the Department focuses on building awareness and taking action against human trafficking.

Secretary Julie Jones said, “Human trafficking is a horrendous crime which victimizes millions of men, women and children each year. The Florida Department of Corrections is proud to stand against this practice and educate our staff on ways to combat and eliminate victimization from human trafficking and other criminal acts throughout our state.”

As part of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, the Department’s Victim Services office will hold a voluntary training session for Department employees on April 14th focusing on the differences between human trafficking and human smuggling, how we can reduce its impact on our communities and who they can contact when suspicious of human trafficking activity. The training will be led by Vania Llover, Assistant Director of the Center for the Advancement of Human Rights at Florida State University.